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Temporal effects of exercise on retrieval-induced forgetting
Paul D Loprinzi1, David O Shopeju2, Benjamin C Storm3
1Exercise & Memory Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Sport, The University of Mississippi, 229 Turner Center, Oxford, MS, 38677, United States. pdloprin@olemiss.edu.
Psychological Research
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Acute aerobic exercise does not preserve retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). This study found that RIF naturally decreases over time, regardless of exercise interventions, challenging previous findings.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) demonstrates how recalling some information can impair memory for related, unretrieved items.
- Previous research suggested acute aerobic exercise might stabilize RIF over time.
- This study aimed to replicate and extend these findings with a more robust design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether acute aerobic exercise preserves the retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) effect.
- To examine the impact of exercise intensity, duration, and timing on RIF.
- To replicate prior findings on exercise and memory inhibition.
Main Methods:
- A large sample (N=372) of healthy young adults performed a category-exemplar RIF task.
- Participants underwent selective retrieval practice followed by two memory tests.
- Interventions between tests included vigorous aerobic exercise, standing control, or combined conditions.
Main Results:
- The classic RIF effect was replicated, with lower recall for suppressed items (Rp-) compared to non-suppressed items (Nrp-).
- Contrary to previous studies, acute exercise did not preserve RIF.
- RIF magnitude decreased across tests in all groups, mainly due to improved recall of suppressed items.
Conclusions:
- Retrieval-induced forgetting can naturally attenuate with repeated memory retrieval.
- Acute aerobic exercise, under the tested conditions, does not appear to stabilize RIF.
- Further research is needed to understand the interaction between exercise and memory inhibition mechanisms.
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